Maruti Suzuki is the most popular and established carmaker in India for a reason. It is the brand that put the whole of India on wheels and continues to do so despite competition from major carmakers. Maruti’s customer base, after-sales support and dealer network remain unmatched to this day. Currently, Maruti Suzuki offers 17 models in India, a number that is hard to match. However, the carmaker is eyeing a bigger number with an aggressive business plan which it calls Vision 3.0. With the new plan, Maruti will be launching 8 new models in the near future to step-up its portfolio in India. These upcoming models will fit into various price brackets and be powered by a range of powertrain options such as electric, ICE and hybrid options. The future looks exciting for Maruti Suzuki and Indian customers, but what’s exactly in store for us. Let’s take a deep dive.
Model | Expected Launch Timeline | Expected Powertrain |
New Swift/Dzire | Q1 2024 | Petrol |
Fronx Hybrid | 2025 | Petrol Hybrid |
eVX | Q4 2024 | Electric |
Electric MPV | 2026 | Electric |
Full-Size SUV | 2025 | Mild hybrid and strong hybrid petrol |
EWX Hatchback | 2026/2027 | Electric |
Mini SUV | 2026 | Yet to be revealed |
Spacia-based MPV | 2026 | Petrol |
New Swift
Codenamed YED, Maruti Suzuki is readying a new avatar for the Swift and the Dzire to fend off competition from newly established players. As a matter of fact, the upcoming Dzire was recently spied being tested on Indian roads hinting at a launch that is closer than anticipated. With the new Swift, Maruti Suzuki aims to bring back the sporty hatchback that offers good thrills within a budget. There will be a host of changes including updated design language that also extends to the cabin. The biggest highlight will be the new Z series 1.2-litre 3-cylinder petrol engine that will be offered as a replacement for the existing four-cylinder unit. This engine is expected to develop 89PS and 113Nm coupled to both manual and automatic gearboxes. With modern trends in sight, the new Swift and Dzire will also feature some tech features on board such as a 9-inch touchscreen system. However, it remains to be seen if the hatchback will gain any ADAS features. Both the Swift and the Dzire will be the first cars to break cover and we can expect that to happen in March/April 2024, which is two months away.
New Swift Specifications
- Engine: 1.2-litre 3-cylinder petrol
- Expected launch date: March/April 2024
- Fuel Type: Petrol
- Seating Capacity: 5
Fronx Hybrid
Maruti Suzuki will potentially update its hybrid portfolio in 2025 with a hybrid version of the Fronx. However, unlike the current hybrid setups offered by the brand, this will be a novel tech and a series hybrid setup. In this setup, the electric motor will not be a part of the driver but it will act as a range-extender that powers an electric motor to drive the wheels. This kind of setup is cost effective and it is rumoured that Maruti will use the 1.2-litre Z series petrol engine along with a small battery pack for the Fronx hybrid. The new powertrain is expected to debut in 2025 with the Fronx and later for other models in the brand’s current and future portfolio. With the new series hybrid powertrain setup, Maruti Suzuki is betting high on hybrids as competition has moved on with EVs.
Fronx Hybrid Specifications
- Engine: 1.2-litre 3-cylinder petrol with hybrid
- Expected launch date: 2025
- Fuel Type: Petrol/hybrid
- Seating Capacity: 5
eVX
We last saw the eVX at the Auto Expo 2023 featuring more updates and more specifics on the powertrain. The concept EV featured a dual-motor setup drawing power from a 60kWh battery pack to deliver a claimed 550km range. Meanwhile, Toyota also announced its own version of the eVX around the same time. What was a concept from the future is now slowly taking shape and nearing production as Maruti Suzuki announced that it will start production by the end of 2024. The brand aims to develop and produce this car not just for India, but other markets such as Japan and Europe. Details are scarce but rumours suggest it will be a compact SUV that will take on the likes of the Tata’s EV offerings and the Mahindra XUV400..
eVX Specifications
- Engine: 60 kWh battery pack
- Expected launch date: End 2024
- Fuel Type: Electric
- Seating Capacity: 5
Electric MPV
Details are extremely scarce on this. All we know is that Maruti Suzuki is eying an all-electric three-seater MPV for India, codenamed YMC. This electric MPV will be a novel model and it will make its debut in 2026. Rumour mills also speculate that this new MPV might share its chassis, electric motor and battery setup with the eVX that will debut later this year. Maruti Suzuki’s future plans are aggressive to say the least and that can be understood from the varying body styles in the pipeline. With electrification taking centre stage, all-electric people carriers are an untapped segment in India.
Electric MPV Specifications
- Engine: 60 kWh battery pack (expected)
- Expected launch date: 2026
- Fuel Type: Electric
- Seating Capacity: 5
Full-Size SUV
As we all know, Maruti has an obvious void in its portfolio above the Grand Vitara to take on the Mahindra XUV700 and the Tata Safari. Yes, codenamed the Y17, the new SUV will potentially be a 7-seater version of the Grand Vitara. This new SUV will also be shared with Toyota and is expected to go into production in 2025. What can we expect? The same set of mild and strong hybrid powertrains along with a CNG option. We could also expect the same set of features with the inclusion of more safety kit such as ADAS.
Full-Size SUV Specifications
- Engine: 1.5-litre strong and mild-hybrid engines (expected)
- Expected launch date: 2025
- Fuel Type: Petrol/hybrid
- Seating Capacity: 7
EWX Hatchback
Tata is pioneering EVs in India and leading the game in terms of volumes and market share. Maruti Suzuki aims to disrupt this with its new offerings. One such model is the EWX hatchback. This will be an entry-level all-electric hatchback based on a new platform. Tata’s Tiago EV is the target, but we don’t see the EWX making its debut anytime in the near future. 2026 or 2027 are the expected launch timeline for this model. So if you want an entry-level EV now or in the next one year, the Tata still remains your only option along with the MG Comet.
EWX Specifications
- Engine: Yet to be revealed
- Expected launch date: 2026/2027
- Fuel Type: Electric
- Seating Capacity: 5
Mini SUV
With the Tiago EV’s rival in place, Maruti Suzuki aims to take a shot at a Punch rival in the form of a mini SUV. It will slot in below the Brezza in the portfolio and offer great value. This new SUV is codenamed the Y43 and it is expected to break cover in 2026. Since the SUV market is booming and showing no signs of slowdown, Maruti Suzuki aims to rope in some serious numbers by increasing its SUV foothold for the future. Again, details are not out yet, but do expect more to follow in due time.
Maruti Mini SUV Specifications
- Engine: Yet to be revealed
- Expected launch date: 2026
- Fuel Type: Petrol
- Seating Capacity: 5
Spacia-based MPV
The Suzuki Spacia is a compact kei-car sold in Japan. However, for India we expect a longer version as kei proportions would be too small for a market like India. Maruti Suzuki would be making a Triber rival if rumours are to be believed. And this new MPV will share components and design with the Spacia. The idea is a low-cost people carrier that will slot below the Ertiga in Maruti Suzuki’s portfolio. The Spacia sold in Japan is a quirky boxy car with mini proportions and sliding doors. However, expect a complete makeover for India with larger proportions and space. That said, the Spacia-based MPV, codenamed YDB will measure under 4m in length like the Renault Triber. This 7-seater MPV is expected to debut in India in 2026. Specifics on the powertrain are still in the dark, but it is safe to expect the new Z-series 1.2-litre 3-cylinder petrol engines. Interestingly, the Spacia-based MPV will also be a potential replacement for the ageing Eeco.
Maruti Spacia-based MPV Specifications
- Engine: 1.2-litre 3-cylinder petrol (expected)
- Expected launch date: 2026
- Fuel Type: Petrol
- Seating Capacity: 7
Summary
The Indian market dynamics are ever-so changing with the increasing popularity of SUVs and EVs. Maruti Suzuki still dominates the market as a whole, but the market share has come down significantly. The best-selling car in December 2023 is not a Maruti Suzuki but the Tata Nexon. It is a fact that Tata and Hyundai have managed to capture a bigger percentage of the Indian automotive market share. In terms of EVs, Maruti is on the backfoot in contrast to other carmakers, especially Tata. The Nexon EV is still the best-selling EV in India while Tata has expanded its EV portfolio over the years. In contrast, Maruti Suzuki is yet to launch its first EV. The Vision 3.0 plan aims to address this as Maruti Suzuki has 7 upcoming cars in the lineup, with the majority of them being EVs.
The new Swift/Dzire will launch in a matter of months and it will be followed by the eVX, Maruti Suzuki’s first EV. Although late, Maruti Suzuki seems to be moving rapidly with electric vehicles and we expect to see a host of models in the upcoming two years.
